Everybody had such a good time at our first Summer Music Sale, we can hardly wait to do it again. It’s almost time! We’ll see you at Verve on Saturday August 30th. An expanded set of vendors, mild summer weather, and all the great memories from last year mean that we expect even more of our friends will come out this time. Save the date. We’ll bring KZSC coffee mugs to hold your favorite beverage from Verve, and record tote bags to haul off all the great music you’ll find.

Acoustic-punk heroes Andrew Jackson Jihad don’t like jerks — just ask the handbill for their upcoming Santa Cruz show. On Tuesday, July 29th, the whip-smart antifolk troubadours stop at the Rio Theatre for an all-ages gig with post-punk trio Hard Girls and “pup-punk” sextet Dogbreth. This lineup should raise DIY hell and cannot be missed. Plus, you’re likely to find many of our loyal staffers there to witness the madness and probably hand out some KZSC stickers n’ other media while we’re at it! For more information or tickets, check out riotheatre.com, but until then, rock out in your dreams!!!

The multiple Grammy Award winning Cajun band BeauSoleil avec Michael Doucet will be playing for a dance at Don Quixote’s International Music Hall in Felton, CA at 7pm on Sunday, June 29, 2014. Native Acadian fiddler Michael Doucet has spearheaded this band for the past 37 years, with styles ranging from straight forward traditional tunes and songs from the heart of Louisiana to dance music blending elements of Cajun and Zydeco with some New Orleans jazz, country, and blues. Their recently released CD “From Bamako to Carencro” traces a connection between the West African music of Mali and the suburbs of Lafayette, Louisiana with creatively joyful dance music. Get your dancing shoes ready for an evening of pulsating fun.

Coming up this weekend is the 38th Annual San Francisco Free Folk Festival, Sat-Sun June 21-22, 2014, with continuous concerts, workshops, dancing, and acoustic jamming from noon-10pm each day at Presidio Middle School in San Francisco. While donations will be accepted, this is a free event sponsored by the venerable San Francisco Folk Music Club. There’ll be over 60 live performances (including Banjo Babes Review, the Wronglers, Windy Hill, The Rowan Brothers, Sylvia Herold Ensemble), 100+ music workshops (various instruments including guitar, harmonica, accordion, fiddle, ukulele) and singing styles (including folk, blues, jazz standards, honky-tonk), dance workshops (from Zydeco to Bollywood, African, Country Western, English, French, Latin and more) and family activities (puppet show, singing, storytelling, build-your-own instrument and band jamming) during the day, plus more concerts and evening dance parties (contras and squares, English-Irish-Scottish, Cajun, and other International dances). You’ll need to choose between many activities each hour, so take a look at the four-page Festival Schedule for the lowdown.

If you saw the documentary, “20 Feet From Stardom”, you know Darlene Love’s story. She sang backup on recordings for artists like Sam Cooke, Elvis Presley, Cher and Aretha Franklin. Love also worked for the legendary producer Phil Spector during the glory days of the girl group era; that’s her voice you hear on the classic “He’s A Rebel”. Rock and Roll Hall of Fame member Darlene Love presents “An Unforgettable Evening” at The Golden State Theatre in Monterey Sunday, June 29th. Showtime is 7:30 pm.

Two local Santa Cruz bluegrass bands, Bean Creek and The Abbott Brothers headline the official after-party of the Redwood Mountain Faire on Sunday, June 1, 2014 at 7pm at Don Quixote’s in Felton, CA. This year, Bean Creek was named “Best Bluegrass Band” by the Northern California Bluegrass Society, and individual members of the band also received awards, Billy Pitrone for “Best Male Vocalist,” Rob Horgan for “Best Banjo Player,” and Pete Hicks for “Best Mandolin Player.” The always engaging young Abbott Brothers will present energetic versions of classic honky-tonk and country songs, and old-time brother duets as well as straight ahead bluegrass and sizzling instrumentals.